Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya to get a new gallery

Entrance to the Cave at Elephanta by Thomas Daniell (1749-1840). Coloured aquatint.

What: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya will soon be opening a new permanent gallery of 17th – 19th century prints. Their inaugural exhibition, titled Bombay to Mumbai: Door of the East with its Face to the West will display about 47 prints that give the viewers an idea of the city as perceived by European travellers.

View of Panwell by Henry Salt (1780-1827). Line engraving with etching by James Fittler. The British called Panvel Panwell; a town in the province of Aurangabad, situated on the river Pan.

How:The prints have been acquired by the Museum as gifts from the collections of Pauline and Roy Rohatgi and Pheroza and Jamshyd Godrej. These prints were based on drawings and maps, probably made by authors or fellow-travellers and at times, having sourced prints that were published previously. For those who are inspired by the prints,the gallery will have an educational corner where activities and demos on print making and its various techniques will be conducted along with AV presentations.

The Rosa, a Mausoleum near Kaira, Guzurat by Robert Pouget (1787-1864). Lithograph by William Spreat, after an original drawing by Major Robert Pouget. It is situated about 30 km southwest of Ahmedabad.

Bombay, on the Malabar Coast, belonging to the East India Company of England by Jan van Ryne (1712-60), coloured line engraving.

Where: The gallery will be inaugurated by Neil MacGregor, director, British Museum, London, who will also give an illustrated talk on world cultures (invite only).